Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — When the offense stalls, go to the defense.
South Point couldn’t generate any offense in the first half, so the defense took over and the Lady Pointers pulled away to a 43-23 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Portsmouth Lady Trojans on Thursday.
South Point (3-0, 2-0) led just 15-6 at the half before outscoring Portsmouth 17-7 in the third quarter to lead 32-13.
“It was a tough, physical game. Portsmouth played hard,” said Lady Pointers’ coach Dave Adams. “But we picked it up defensively in the third quarter.”
Emilee Whitt had nine points, Emilee Carey and Ashley Perkey seven each and Maddy Khounlavong and Kate Mundy six each to pace a balance South Point offense.
Jasmine Eley scored eight, Nia Trinidad six and Hannah Hughes five to lead Portsmouth (1-3, 1-2).
Whitt had a 3-pointer as South Point took a 7-2 first quarter lead. Mundy ws 4-of-5 at the foul line in the second quarter.
Carey had five points including a 3-pointer while Perkey and Whitt scored four each in the third quarter surge.
South Point added to its lead in the fourth quarter as Diamond Crawley came off the bench to score four points. Eley had all of her points in the quarter including a 3-pointer.
South Point plays at Fairland on Monday. The game was originally scheduled to be played at South Point.
Portsmouth 2 4 7 10 = 23
South Point 7 8 17 11 = 43
PORTSMOUTH (1-3, 1-2): Emilee Whitt 3 1 0-0 9, Jaden Howard 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Roach 2 0 0-0 4, Maddy Khounlavong 3 0 0-0 6, Emilee Carey 2 1 0-0 7, Diamond Crawley 2 0 0-0 4, Kate Mundy 1 0 4-5 6, Ashley Perkey 3 0 1-2 7. Totals: 16 2 5-7 43. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.
SOUTH POINT (3-0, 2-0): Jasmine Eley 1 2 0-2 8, Nia Trinidad 3 0 0-0 6, Hannah Hughes 1 1 0-0 5, Ashanti Richardson 0 0 0-0 0, Faith Phillips 0 0 0-0 0, Jaiden Rickett 2 0 0-2 4, Aireyana Thoroughman 0 0 0-0 0, Lyrie Brown 0 0 0-0 0, Layla Kegg 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 7 3 0-4 23. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.